Taser launches new stun gun for consumers

Taser International Inc., the world’s largest maker of stun guns, began this week shipping its new C2 Personal Protector weapon for consumers as the company seeks to expand in markets other than police and military.

The C2 has a base price of $299.99, is shaped like an electric razor and is available in four colors, including metallic pink. Taser depends on law enforcement and military customers for about 99% of its sales and is seeking a new customer base with the unit. Law enforcement groups have expressed concern the C2 might be used by criminals.

The stun gun will pack a lesser jolt than the 50,000 volts of the law enforcement model, though the company won’t say what the power level is. It has a range of 15 feet, half the distance of some professional units.

Purchasers of the C2 must first complete a legally required background check before they can activate their Tasers either over the Internet or by phone.

Shares of Scottsdale, Ariz.-based Taser rose $1.56, or 9.8%, to $17.41.